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Plate Tectonics: The Grand Unifying Theory of Geology

Plate Tectonics: The Grand Unifying Theory of Geology

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Mid-Ocean Ridge Activity:<br />

Black Smokers & Pillow Basalts<br />

• Magma heats water and it jets out <strong>of</strong> these<br />

chimney-like vents. <strong>The</strong> water is black<br />

because <strong>of</strong> dark colored minerals. Strange<br />

critters live here!<br />

• When lava erupts underwater,<br />

instead <strong>of</strong> making coherent<br />

flows, it forms rounded bloblike<br />

pillows. Commonly<br />

called pillow basalts

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